So today might be the day. Or at least over the weekend. What appears on the cards is that Celtic will complete the first signing of this window soon, bringing in Nicholas Kuhn from Rapid Vienna.
He plays wide. He can play across the front.
He is 24 and we’ll be paying £3 million for him.
This guy has been at Ajax and Bayern Munich.
This is not, by any stretch, a “project player”. We may be about to see the first proper Brendan Rodgers signing here, and that’s all to the good.
Frankly, it is about time. And that we’re willing to pay a decent fee for him strongly suggests that the manager has won the backing he wanted. Or maybe that’s just me indulging in high hopes and wishful thinking; we’ll soon find out. But the fact is, the last few months have shown us that we need players in the wide positions.
Right now, we have three on the left and three on the right. But that’s deceptive. Because on the left it’s Maeda and Palma, with Mikey Johnston as backup. On the right it’s Abada, Forrest and Yang. We are all agreed, I think, that we’ve just about seen the last of Johnston and Forrest is now past 33 and Yang blows hot and cold.
So, the strength in depth isn’t really there as much as it seems.
On top of that are tactical considerations; Palma lacks the pace you’d want with a winger and he might get shifted to the creative midfield position behind the striker … the more players of the right quality you have available, the better the overall picture looks.
It’s been a while since someone came in and obviously elevated the team. This boy has the right pedigree for that, and Rodgers will be aware of his skill-set and he’ll know where he wants to play him. We might be in for a few surprises here, including the possibility of playing Maeda and Kyogo up front at some point in the future.
But more than anything else, this is the start of the new Celtic, with Rodgers now in the driving seat. This boy is a little too experienced to be a “development” player and that convinces me that the boss has finally seized control of his own destiny instead of leaving it in the hands of people who aren’t really qualified to do that job.
Brendan has had time to go over the team and to assess its needs. He knows now what is required and where he wants us to get stronger. I am encouraged by the stories today about the three positions he wants to strengthen, and I’ll talk about the other two shortly … and what it means for another player at the club.
At long last though, the movement is looking like its coming in the right direction.
If we can get this deal done quickly it will give the whole club a lift, and whilst it’s not over until the proverbial fat lady sings this one feels real, and it feels like it’s going to happen.
Another bloody winger ! – Just how many do we need to cross the ball to tiny wee lads in the box…
Admittedly it IS money (and we have plenty) getting spent –
But where oh where is that ready made striker to score for fun which Oh certainly ain’t doing…
That said there’s another 20 days to go so I need to be patient !
And Haksa, and Tilio make 8. Not quite a million wingers, but near enough.
Sorry to be pessimistic, James, but I can’t see him being “quality”.
Unless I have misunderstood,
but this guy only played for Ajax and Bayern’s reserve teams.
He never actually played for either club’s senior team.
His only senior club appearances have been with Rapid Vienna:
51 games over this season and last.
That doesn’t sound like an experienced, ‘quality’ player?
Maybe he will just be Abada’s replacement.
Not sure I agree with this. His time at Ajax and Bayern were with the reserve set ups and elsewhere doesn’t seem to have been setting the heather alight. He sounds very much like a punt to me. With 6 wide men on the books and only 1 decent striker, it seems our love affair with wingers continues.
I remember Rodgers saying in his last stint at the club When Shved was signed over his head, ” the last thing we need is another winger”
I’m honestly struggling to get excited about this new guy and it’s not over the line yet.
I’d honestly be more interested in some of the duds going the other way.
Just can’t get enthusiastic about any signings whilst Lawwell Snr. Is still at the club, you just know his mits will be all over it, no matter who we sign. We will end up scraping the barrel last day of the window. It’s how PL likes to work.
Seeing is believing, where,s the front man need a striker with height,need heigh at back ,a left back ,a goalkeeper is a must ,why sieghurst was never given proper chance is only know to Ange and now Brendan ,guy was great for Dundee utd
I hope one of the other positions is a goalkeeper because that’s what we need and a big target man in the forward line because we need it !
With all due regard to the possibility of “the Lubo scenario” i.e. a brilliant player being brought in unheralded for a small fee, this guys track record looks remarkably similar to that of a certain Maryan Shved circa 2019, and we know where THAT signing led. If this is the level they persist in looking at, there is trouble ahead….. trouble entirely of our board’s own making too. This is just yet another gambler’s ‘punt’ in the transfer market.
My concern is that he’s a replacement for Abada, so not really strengthening the team. Lots of rumours about re Abada leaving because of the Middle East situation and the GB’s support of Palestine.
It’s a welcome start. Tho hate tae sound pessimistic, hope its no just one of a couple. Need another at least 2 or 3 in as well for key positions. See whit happens, hopefully and hugely importantly, still some good things tae come.
Well where to start. Not sure this, when thinking of recruitment, is what I what I considered. I’ll be honest I’m not sure I share your boundless enthusiasm but I’m prepared to be convinced. I’m sure I’ve heard of him but know little of him. The cynical side of me thinks if he’s such a promise and at only £3m why isn’t he in more demand.
Also another winger. I haven’t quite given up on Mikey Johnston yet given some decent off the bench performances especially in comparison to some of our so called development wingers and thought funds would be spent elsewhere. He’ll need to be a considerable upgrade to convince me that this is wise. Forrest has been good at times when not injured and been loyal to the club but his best days are over so fair comment there. I suppose if this is the start then let’s see where we end. HH
HH for the support to Mikey!
Surely the priority is a cf, ch, lb and gk. Do not think he is what you make out James at £3m. Hard sell point I am afraid.
I am not too enthused with this signing. Not exactly a proven, experienced striker. No one has ever heard of this guy, although I wish him the best and I hope he is a cracker.
Not another winger,this does not bode well ?
Don’t often disagree with you James but in my opinion he is another project . Yes he has been with big clubs but never quite made it. We continually shop in the £3-4 m bracket. That is never gonna take us to the fabled next level. As you said in yesterday’s article we need to raise the bar slightly in terms of transfer fees and wages before on offer before any real progress is made.